difficulty between different LSATs and effect on scores Forum

[rachue]

Hey all,

Just have a quick question. I know LSATs can vary in difficulty, but to what degree does this reflect in the scoring? I just took a practice test and went up in my score by 7 points. I was so happy! (Maybe studying is finally working!!) But then I realized, too, that I thought this test was somewhat easier overall than the 10 or so other tests I've taken before. Would the scoring differ so much to account fully for those 7 points? I'm assuming not, but then to how many points might it be accountable? (1-3?)

Any insight much appreciated!

[am060459]

Hey all,

Just have a quick question. I know LSATs can vary in difficulty, but to what degree does this reflect in the scoring? I just took a practice test and went up in my score by 7 points. I was so happy! (Maybe studying is finally working!!) But then I realized, too, that I thought this test was somewhat easier overall than the 10 or so other tests I've taken before. Would the scoring differ so much to account fully for those 7 points? I'm assuming not, but then to how many points might it be accountable? (1-3?)

Any insight much appreciated!

you do have a point. some lsat are easier but if so their curves arent generous. simple way to see if the jump wasnt an outlier is to take more tests and if you improve by similar amounts then attribute the jump to your studying. if not, its your lucky day (and play the lottery).

[pichu]

i would say it depends on the test taker.

for example, i pretty consistently got -5 or -6 on my tests overall. therefore, my score was highly dependent on the curve, in that sometimes a -5 is a 178 and other times it is a 175.

on the other hand, some people are better at taking the "easier" tests (with a less forgiving curve), and worse at taking the "harder" tests (with a more forgiving curve). therefore their scores stay constant, because they perform how the curve would predict.

i think you'll know which kind of test taker you are after about 10-15 tests.

oh yeah, and another thing that causes big score fluctuations is when you have trouble with a particular type of game (i.e. in and out, tiered ordering) or a particular type of reading comp passage (i.e. the science ones, the philosophical ones).

[rachue]

i would say it depends on the test taker.

for example, i pretty consistently got -5 or -6 on my tests overall. therefore, my score was highly dependent on the curve, in that sometimes a -5 is a 178 and other times it is a 175.

on the other hand, some people are better at taking the "easier" tests (with a less forgiving curve), and worse at taking the "harder" tests (with a more forgiving curve). therefore their scores stay constant, because they perform how the curve would predict.

i think you'll know which kind of test taker you are after about 10-15 tests.

oh yeah, and another thing that causes big score fluctuations is when you have trouble with a particular type of game (i.e. in and out, tiered ordering) or a particular type of reading comp passage (i.e. the science ones, the philosophical ones).

hi pichu,

that last part is a really good observation. usually i have a hard time with one of the RC passages, missing 5 even on that one! but today i got really lucky with the dole out of passages (they were all actually somewhat interesting, for once!). so that probably did help. i will just have to keep on practicing!

thanks everyone for their advice!